Spanning from the Coachella Valley south to the U.S.-Mexico border, Assembly District 56 spans rural communities across Imperial and Riverside counties as well as some of the most populated and diverse cities in the area.

In the primary election on June 5, incumbent Democrat Eduardo Garcia and Republican Jeff Gonzalez beat out Republican Jonathan Reiss by significant margins. Assembly member Garcia came out on top with 58.82 percent of votes, followed by Gonzalez with 27.23 percent.

Voter turnout in the district remained low in June's primary, with only 29 percent of registered voters taking part.

There are a number of issues to address in the district, ranging from a lasting need for infrastructure to air quality and transportation access. We asked the two candidates how they're hoping to address these challenges.

Challenger Jeff Gonzalez did not respond to several requests for comment.

Roads & Bridges

How do you think capital improvement projects in the district should be financed?

Garcia: “From the minute I arrived in Sacramento, I set out to ensure that our region received equitable state investments to address our local infrastructure needs in a way that simultaneously spurs opportunities for economic development. To achieve this, I have supported, pursued and, in some cases, even cultivated creative funding mechanisms, via legislative fixes to better direct these dollars home. These efforts have resulted in new investments for parks, roads, highways, transit corridors, sidewalks and other beneficial construction projects for our district.”

Sewage & Water Access

How do you plan to approach the lack of access to sewage and clean water in the district’s rural communities?

Garcia: “Over the last few years, there has been a concerted effort to tackle the severe infrastructure shortfall facing our rural communities. By collaborating alongside residents, nonprofits and other regional agency partners we have been able to orchestrate resident-driven policy solutions. We are currently awaiting Gov. (Jerry) Brown’s signature on AB 2056 and AB 2060, measures I authored that would help level the playing field by allowing our area to access the resources necessary to move forward with clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Given my track record and position as Water, Parks, Wildlife chair, Speaker Rendon has just entrusted me with the task of dedicating the next legislative session to finding a sustainable, long-term approach to safeguard clean, safe, affordable drinking water to meet the needs of all California.”

Air Quality

What are your plans for reducing the significant impact low air quality has on residents' health around the district’s southern border and Salton Sea shores?

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Garcia: “By bringing human health impacts to the forefront of the Salton Sea and climate conversations, we have been able to garner greater support and resources towards air quality mitigation. Our work with AB 617 has opened up a new frontier centered on equity. Now our air districts will need to direct their resources into environmentally disadvantaged areas like ours for community-led air monitoring programs. I have also made it a priority to expand healthcare resources for our families. SB 5’s success, by way of Proposition 68, secured $200 million for the implementation of the Salton Sea Management Plan. We now have a plan, we have money and there is additional money lined up. As chair of the Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee, I am committed to making sure we move forward with mitigation efforts promptly to improve air quality, safeguard human health as well as the ecological and economic issues surrounding the sea.”

Transportation

Many communities in the district have little to no access to public transportation. What are your plans to increase mobility for residents?

Garcia: “I have been working to increase mobility and access to transportation long before the residents of the 56th Assembly District entrusted me to represent them in the State Assembly. As mayor of Coachella, I served as chair for SunLine Transit Agency and the Coachella Valley Association of Government’s Executive Committee and additionally served as a board member for the Riverside County Transportation Commission and the (CVAG's) Transportation Committee. During that time we were able to prioritize bus routes in areas lacking access and make inroads for additional connectivity infrastructure. In the State Legislature, I have been able to advocate for equitable investments into underserved areas such as ours as well as bring together our regional stakeholders to best identify and align opportunities for state funding with overlapping co-benefits to secure resources in a way that best meets our unique geographical transit needs.”

Alena Maschke covers the east valley for The Desert Sun. She can be reached at Alena.Maschke@DesertSun.com or on Twitter @AlenaMaschke.